HIV AIDS Overview
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body’s ability to fight infection and disease.
HIV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It can also be spread by contact with infected blood or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breast-feeding. Without medication, it may take years before HIV. weakens your immune system to the point that you have AIDS.
There’s no cure for HIV/AIDS, but medications can dramatically slow the progression of the disease. These drugs have reduced AIDS deaths in many developed nations.
Symptoms
- Fever, Headache, Rash
- Muscle aches and joint pain
- Sore throat and painful mouth sores
- Swollen lymph glands, mainly on the neck
- Diarrhea, Weight loss, Cough, Night sweats
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When to see a Doctor
If you think you may have been infected with HIV or are at risk of contracting the virus, see a doctor as soon as possible.